Social Chat Episode 35 – The KISS Video Gear List – Summer 2018

Jul 4, 2018

VIDEO GEAR 🎥

Are you about to go shopping for some video gear to get serious about shooting video with your smartphone? In this episode, we bring out our gear bag and show you what has worked and what equipment BOMBED… Tripods, lighting and sound equipment.
Learn from our mistakes and save time and money!

A quick note about Social Chats. Social Chats is a weekly live show that we put together to help small businesses learn from great people who stand out in their industry. What they do works well with social media and we hope you this will keep you educated, and inspired!

 

 

TOPICS OF THE DAY

1- Why is video so important for social media
2- Sound – microphones
3- Tripods & the new generation of selfie sticks
4- Lights
5- Our tripod, iPhone, portable lights and remote control clicker magic combo

Watch the show below and please subscribe to our YouTube channel!

 

* IF YOU WANT TO GET STRAIGHT TO THE GEAR LIST, SKIP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BLOG

1- WHY ARE VIDEOS SO IMPORTANT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA

  • Video is an easy and efficient way to tell your story
  • FACEBOOK – No other platform delivers your content to more people for less money
  • YouTube allows you to utilize the number one website – GOOGLE
  • People gaze FIVE times longer at a video
  • More video is uploaded to the web in a single month than TV has created in 3 decades
  • 40% of tablet owners watch one hour of video a day
  • Think more like a SCREENwriter, not a COPYwriter

Video marketing is so efficient because of it:

  • Boosts conversions and sales
  • Shows great ROI
  • Builds trust – people see and hear you
  • Is great for the Google search engine
  • Appeals to mobile users
  • Allows you to explain your product
  • Engages even the laziest buyers
  • Encourages social shares

 

2- SOUND – MICROPHONES

People can forgive you for a bit of a blurry image but you will lose your audience if your sound is not good. We have tried a lot of different microphones and these are our favorites.
What works best for us:

Note: it seems like Lavaliers don’t work as well with the iPhone X as with previous generations of iPhones. We suspect there might be some sound quality lost with the X adaptor…

If you are shooting from your desktop (for Facebook Live for example) a little stand up microphone works great. No need to get fancy, unless you are recording a podcast.

These are fun and they will make you feel and act like a Ninja. You can tap your ear and connect to Siri and a whole bunch of other super features.

We love them because they serve as a great microphone and they are wireless.

Two “cons”: they are expensive and they look geeky. For video, you can try to put them BEHIND your ears to use them as a microphone-only device. Don’t move too much and it works! A client of ours came up with this idea and it worked fine

 

TROUBLESHOOTING MICROPHONES

If you have a microphone plugged into your iPhone, you must remove it to LISTEN to the sound on your video. Also, make sure that your Bluetooth connection is not linked to another device, like your home stereo system.

 

3- TRIPODS AND THE NEW GENERATION OF SELFIE STICKS

We love tripods! They allow you to get a better photo and/or video and to be autonomous, especially when used with a remote-control clicker. The new generation of selfie stick transforms into a selfie stick/tripod/remote control clicker combo that fits in your purse. NICE! However, the legs are not the sturdiest but it still works.

We have tried A LOT of them and here are some recommendations:

  • Avoid buying a tripod with legs that can bend to attach them to things, it is hard to get the legs perfectly straight afterward
  • Make sure you get a universal phone adapter to screw on to the tripod (often sold separately)
  • Have two setups, one portable, go everywhere one and one tall (6 feet or so) sturdy one for home/office use.

 

What works best for us:

Note: Small and slick, you can take this combo everywhere. Keep in mind that it is not super sturdy. You must completely open the legs and then, adjust the height.
I love the integrated clicker BUT remember to hold the button 3 SECONDS to have it connect to your phone via Bluetooth. Otherwise, you will swear that it doesn’t work, threaten to return it, only to finally look at the instruction manual and realize how silly you have been.

 

4- LIGHTS

Light, camera, action! Good lights really make a difference and give you this “pro-studio” look. If you buy lights with a tripod, make sure it goes high enough to be able to extend at least to your head level when you are standing up.

What works best for us:

 

5- THE KISS MAGIC VIDEO COMBO KIT

Even if you have the best business partner in the world, it does get intimidating to have someone filming you, especially when you are making some mistakes and shooting again and again.

You will see at the end of our YouTube video, we use a tripod, lights, smartphone and remote control clicker stand-alone studio. If you are shooting in selfie mode, you can see what you look like (and what your background looks like) and be in control of the “retakes”.
The back camera of your phone is of higher quality but the front camera (selfie mode) is still good.

That’s it! Lots of info but it is so much fun. If you have any questions, make sure to message us on our Facebook business page @keepitsimplesocialmedia and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep your finger on the pulse.

*Please note that these are tips and takeaways are from an episode of Social Chats that was originally recorded on Facebook Live in May 2918. What does Live mean? LIVE means our viewers were able to get involved while our guest was in the studio, and ask questions. You can watch the replay on our Facebook Page, ask questions in the comment field and we will make sure to answer them in a timely matter.

 

KEEP IT SIMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO GEAR BUYING GUIDE, SUMMER 2018

MICROPHONES
Classic Lavalier
Rode smartLav+ Lavalier Microphone for Smartphones and Tablets
CDN $98.95

Desktop microphone (for Facebook Live and desktop recordings)
Dynex – USB Microphone – DX-USBMIC13
CDN $89.03

Apple Air Pods
Wireless. Effortless. Magical. Apple Air Pods
CDN $219

TRIPODS & THE NEW GENERATION OF SELFIE STICKS
Good, solid, affordable tripod:
AmazonBasics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag
CDN $32.97

Stick-remote-tripod combo:
Yoozon Selfie Stick Bluetooth, Extendable Selfie Stick with Wireless Remote and Tripod Stand Selfie Stick
CDN $56.63

LIGHTS
LED lights with stands, bags, and chargers
Neewer Two Pieces CN-216 Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel LED Video Light Lighting Kit with Carrying Bag
CDN $139.99

iPhone little ring light
Universal 36 LED Selfie Enhancing Dimmable Cellphone Camera Ring
CDN $14.99

14″ dimmable ring light with remote control
Neewer 14-inch Outer 10-inch Inner Dimmable LED Ring Light Lighting Kit with 59 inches Light Stand, Phone Holder, Diffuser, White Orange Filters for Photo Studio Youtube Video Shooting (US/EU Plug)
CDN $139.99

REMOTE CONTROL CLICKER
HISY Bluetooth Remote for smartphone
CDN $24.99

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